BOTULISM by https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6 en-us 2022-11-20 19:43:45 UTC 2022-11-21 03:56:43 UTC hello@padlet.com CAUSATIVE AGENT damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391646968 The most common causative agent of Botulism is Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic and spore-forming.
  • It can secrete botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), the most potent of toxins, that can cause paralysis and/or death to those who have been infected.
]]> 2022-11-20 19:45:16 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391646968 MODE OF TRANSMISSION damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391647627 Botulism is not known to be communicable (spread person to person or be contagious).

Can be contracted through:
  1. Food-borne: consumption of contaminated food
  2. Contaminated wounds: can infect deep subcutaneous lacerations that provide a great environment for the toxin to proliferate
  3. Air-borne: Inhaling the toxin can interact with the respiratory system to infect an individual
  4. Botox: usually means patient has been injected with too much of the toxin
]]> 2022-11-20 19:46:32 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391647627 SYMPTOMS damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391647780 Most common symptoms include:
  • Paralysis (present in all ages)
  • Trouble swallowing or speaking
  • Facial weakness on both sides of the face
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Drooping eyelids (present in all ages)
  • Trouble breathing

Infant botulism symptoms:
  • Constipation (the 1st symptom)
  • Floppy movement due to muscle weakness
  • Trouble sucking or feeding
  • Weak cry and irritability
]]> 2022-11-20 19:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391647780 VIRULENCE FACTOR damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648176 The most important virulence factor of botulism is that it is spore forming. This means the bacteria is highly resistant to extreme environments and remains dormant in order to protect its genetic material for later use.

It also contains a neurotoxin (BoNT) that directly targets the nervous system (our nerves, brain and spinal cord) to cause extreme muscle weakness.]]> 2022-11-20 19:47:36 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648176 DIAGNOSIS damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648333
A definite diagnosis would be through any serum, vomit, gastric aspirate and stool.

Other tests include:
  • Checking symptoms
  • Cerebrospinal fluid testing
  • Urine tests
  • Brain imaging, electromyography

]]> 2022-11-20 19:47:56 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648333 TREATMENT damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648410
Antibody therapy
  • Trivalent antitoxin contains botulinum toxin types A, B and E; this antitoxin develops antibodies which provide protection. It also neutralizes the free toxin molecule that have entered the body so that it can not bind to any nerve ending, thus preventing the spread of paralysis but not reversing it.

An antibiotic such as penicillin is given to destroy the Clostridium bacteria as well.
]]> 2022-11-20 19:48:07 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648410 SEQUELAE damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648938
  • May experience fatigue and shortness of breath even years after survival
  • May need long-term therapy / ventilators
  • Death from respiratory failure
    • ]]>     2022-11-20 19:49:08 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391648938     PREVENTION damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649075
  • There are currently no vaccines
  • Practicing proper processing, storing, washing, cleaning and sterilization of canned items
  • Avoid giving infants (younger than a year) honey
  • Keeping wounds clean
  • Getting injections from ONLY licensed, trained practitioners

    • ]]>     2022-11-20 19:49:25 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649075     EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CONFIRMED LABORATORY BOTULISM CASES (2018) damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649542 2022-11-20 19:50:26 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649542 INTERESTING FACTS damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649626 Botulinum toxin is called "miracle poison" because though very dangerous it can be used to treat many medical conditions such as spasms, overactive smooth muscles, hypersalivation, hyperhidrosis, headaches, etc.
    • Important to note that doses should be infrequent and at the lowest effective dose possible.

    Can be used cosmetically to fix lines, creases and wrinkling.
    ]]>     2022-11-20 19:50:37 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649626     FEATURES OF DISEASE damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649755 It is rare, however with proper therapy many people fully recover (this can also be credited to our nerves repairing themselves throughout the healing process).

    There are 7 serotypes of Clostridium botulinum (A to G); type A has the highest death rate and therefore is thought to be likely used as a biological weapon.]]>     2022-11-20 19:50:52 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649755     HISTORICAL RELEVANCE damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649933 In the 1930s, it is documented that C. botulinum was used by a Japanese warfare group as a bioweapon. Prisoners were fed the lethal bacterium.]]> 2022-11-20 19:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391649933 REFERENCES damarianaya https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391901467
  • Shukla, H. D., and S. K Sharma. “Clostridium Botulinum: A Bug with Beauty and Weapon.” Login.tccd.idm.oclc.org, web-s-ebscohost-com.tccd.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=2&sid=8b41e231-f010-45c5-a918-f4a9f758cf37%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=16358279&anchor=AN0016358279-14.
  • Zhang, Jiu-Cong, et al. “Botulism, Where Are We Now?” Login.tccd.idm.oclc.org, web-p-ebscohost-com.tccd.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=6&sid=45a1979e-4526-4314-a6ed-472a957d96a0%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#anchor=AN0056474992-8. Accessed 21 Nov. 2022.
  • Nigam PK, Nigam A. Botulinum toxin. Indian J Dermatol. 2010;55(1):8-14. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.60343. PMID: 20418969; PMCID: PMC2856357.
  • “Botulism - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.org, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/botulism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370266.
  • “Botulism.” Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2019, www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention.html.
  • Moawad, Heidi. “Why You Should Throw Away Dented Cans of Food.” Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2022, www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-botulism-4142153.
    • ]]>     2022-11-21 02:28:00 UTC https://padlet.com/damarianaya/qygi2rluh4n1vur6/wish/2391901467